NORTH WAZIRISTAN/LAKKI MARWAT: Workers of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl on Sunday held protest demonstrations in North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu against the killing of its local leaders and lawlessness in the tribal district.

In North Waziristan, the workers of JUI-F and other political parties continued a sit-in protest against lawlessness in the tribal district.

The protest in Eidek village near Mirali entered third week on Sunday. A large number of workers, including JUI-F activists, had been attending the protest camp.

The protesters demanded early arrest of the killers of JUI-F leaders Qari Samiuddin, Hafiz Nauman and others.

They also asked the government to take steps for maintenance of law and order in the district.

Rallies also held in Lakki Marwat and Bannu

General Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj-Gen Naeem Akhtar and other senior officers visited the protest camp on Sunday and assured the protesters that those involved in the targeted killing would be arrested.

He said that some elements were trying to sabotage peace in the area and the administration would take concrete measures in this regard.

In Lakki Marwat, the district chapter of JUI-F held a demonstration on Sunday to protest the killing of its leaders in North Waziristan district.

A good number of workers gathered at Qazi Ishfaq Chowk and demanded arrest of the killers.

Speaking on the occasion, MNA Maulana Mohammad Anwar and other leaders condemned the killing of Qari Samiuddin and his companion in North Waziristan.

They said that unknown assailants had gunned down Qari Samiuddin and his colleague on July 15 when they were on their way home in a car.

“It was the second attack on JUI-F leadership in a week as the party’s councillor-elect Malik Murtaza had also been killed by unidentified attackers in Eidak village of the tribal district,” they said.

The JUI-F activists closed an urban road in Bannu city on Sunday to protest the killing of the party activists in North Waziristan.

The protesters gathered outside the press club building and raised slogans in favour of their demands.

Party’s district general secretary Haji Niaz Mohammad and others said on the occasion that the people had rendered sacrifices for restoration of peace in the tribal region.

They said that unidentified attackers had gunned down three JUI-F leaders in North Waziristan in the last one week and asked the government to arrest the culprits.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2022